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Creche facilities are very important for working women

According to Sri Lanka Labour Force Survey – 2015, only 38.5 percent of Sri Lankan women over 20 years of age are in the labour force. One major reason for women to be out of labour force is the obligations towards children. Childcare is mainly mother's duty in Sri Lankan social and cultural background.

There is wide gap between the labour regulations and the government's health standards on lactating. Babies are recommended only breast milk for six months. According to Section 3 of the Maternity Benefits Ordinance Number 32 of 1939 and its amendment in 1985, a pregnant employee is entitled to 12 weeks (2 weeks before and 10 weeks after confinement) inclusive of holidays (84 calendar days) for the first two births and 6 weeks or 42 calendar days for any subsequent birth if she has two children living.

According to the Ordinance, the employers may not employee a pregnant woman on work that may be injurious to her or her child

The law also requires employers of more than a specified number of women workers to provide child care facilities for children under five years old and authorizes the promulgation of regulations regarding those facilities. Also makes provision for nursing intervals for nursing mothers who have returned to their employment.

Lactating mothers are entitled to not less than one hour interval in addition to other intervals to attend to breastfeeding of the babies.

However, most of these regulations are not practically implemented in Sri Lanka. In some cases, the employers as well as employees are unaware of the laws and there are are other employers who do not respect the laws.

In most cases, the lactating mothers travel long distances to work. Many working mothers reluctantly have to leave the babies in others' care and to be fed with milkpowder after four months' maternity leave.

Surekha Samarasena is a private sector employee who works in Colombo. She travels daily from Rathnapura leaving the one year old baby with Sureka's mother. "In my clinic alone, four mothers left employment recently because of lack of crete facilities. One such mother was a quantity surveyor. She earned more than her husband and she was very reluctant to leave the job but she had no other option. The other employed women who left work engaged in accounts, clerical and garment sectors."

"The Heads of some state institutions do not understand that their breastfeeding employees need a creche facility. Some mothers give up breastfeeding on misinformation and feed their infants with milk powder, Health Services Acting Director General Dr. J.M.W.Jayasundara Bandara said recently addressing a health seminar on 'Sustaining Breastfeeding Together,' held in Health Education Bureau in Colombo.

Public sector provides 84 days compulsory maternity leave with full payment, another 84 days half-paid maternity leave and further 84 days no-pay leave on mothers' choice whereas a few state institutions have provided creche centre facilities for their breastfeeding employees. Creche centre facilities were part of the estate infrastructure in the past but most of them are now not operating due to austerity measures.

"When a country moves forward, it needs to protect and develop human capital. This is why we need to ensure that every infant gets breast milk which prevents diseases and ensure immunity," Bandara said.

Sri Lanka became the first country in the world in World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative - 2016's policy and progress scores.

"It is good if all Sri Lankan mothers can be granted six months of full-paid maternity leave in order to create a healthy and productive future generation," Consultant Community Physician Dr. Dhammika Rowel said addressing the health seminar.

"Private companies can benefit by providing 'Creche Centres/facilities' for their female breastfeeding employees. The companies and business ventures can lower their absenteeism rate, health care cost and turnover rates. Companies can expect employees to return to work earlier from maternity leave. It could also provide higher employee productivity and boost morale. Higher employer loyalty can be expected, while the company would gain public recognition as a 'family friendly' company/business," she added.

Nalaka Umagiliya, Vice President of John Keells Holdings PLC said participating an inter-generation dialogud hosted by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), “In my work environment, we provide facilities for maternity, We have seen many women quit jobs after they give birth to the first child. It is proved through data. Industries lose expertise because of this.

"For the IT industry the time needed to double the knowledge is three and half years. One who is out of the industry for three and half years can be obsolete because of this. It is a challenge in IT sector to sustain the resources. It is one reason for the female population being out of the core designer architect level creators," Umagiliya pointed out.

Child Protection Authority of Sri Lanka announced in 2016 that the new regulations would be introduced to the day care centres with the support of the Children's Secretariat and the Prime Ministers' office. The Authority announced that the correct data on the day care centres country wide will be first gathered.

Most of these day care centres are women's enterprises which are below standard mainly due to poor capital investments. They are crammed spaces sometimes and lack basic facilities for children. Helping the day care centres may be beneficial to the society in two ways, i.e. promoting women's entrepreneurship and female participation in labour force.

Budget

100000

byNishanshan

8votes

Inequality and inequity of providing opportunities to youth

The problem

We have to be aware of providing opportunities equally spread among youth which would definitely affect positive impacts on our community youths :) so for this, we have to make an online platform to share all the opportunities in order to get all the youth reached. That's one of my idea to get all the youths involved in every opportunity they prefer :)

The solution

We have to be aware of providing opportunities equally spread among youth which would definitely affect positive impacts on our community youths :) so for this, we have to make an online platform to share all the opportunities in order to get all the youth reached. That's one of my idea to get all the youths involved in every opportunity they prefer :)

Budget

100000

byaaseerdjacr

0votes

Sex Ed in Sri Lanka

The problem

Launching a website where people have their privacy to ask problems related with sex education. Appointing a doctor or consultant for answering these questions will be better.

The solution

Launching a website where people have their privacy to ask problems related with sex education. Appointing a doctor or consultant for answering these questions will be better.

Budget

100000

byThilina Chathurika

1votes

Empowering women harassment happens in public transport.

The problem

Selecting 50 from age group (16-20 yrs) school leavers & students. 2. Contact a lecturer from Peradeniya University. 3. Doing a awareness program to selected group. 4. Ask them to make a skit for their groupsupport according to the program. 5. Selecting the best skit and making the final video. 6. Upload it in to a social media. 7. Make a final output as a DVD including the lecter & the skit. 8. Share that DVD with more schools & Institute in our area. One day program: Resource person - 20,000 Refreshments\lunch - 24,000 Hall & sounds - 35,000

The solution

Selecting 50 from age group (16-20 yrs) school leavers & students. 2. Contact a lecturer from Peradeniya University. 3. Doing a awareness program to selected group. 4. Ask them to make a skit for their groupsupport according to the program. 5. Selecting the best skit and making the final video. 6. Upload it in to a social media. 7. Make a final output as a DVD including the lecter & the skit. 8. Share that DVD with more schools & Institute in our area. One day program: Resource person - 20,000 Refreshments\lunch - 24,000 Hall & sounds - 35,000

Budget

112000

bydamith96

21votes

Micro Financing and Child Care for Victims of Sexual Abuse

The problem

Funding for childcare is dwindling, particularly for single mothers who have given birth out of wedlock – either due to the lack of sex education or rape. Moreover, opportunities for these women to gain any sustainable employment is minimal.
The pilot programme for idea is two-fold.
Part 01 – Setting up a micro-finance scheme for women who lack support on raising children and finding employment – identified through religious and medical sources – who have become victim to rape and given birth as a consequence. These women will gain access to entrepreneurs and mentors who will guide them in pursuing their ideas and making it a reality.
It is also suggested providing another group of women with no marketable skills, basic training and education in order to assist them to gain better employment prospects.
Part 02 – Enabling a creche service for the children of these women, where they will have access to free education, as well as access to therapy (art/music therapy) in order to deal with their circumstances. Many volunteer and non-profit organizations exist which can assist in this matter, as well as companies and individuals who can donate any required equipment (Ex: Atlas)
However, this idea is broad and understands the time and financial constraints, and therefore allows for an initial implementation period to occur during the 03 month period in order to gain more funding and support to this project.
Therefore, it will utilize the initial nucleus fund to partner up with organizations, MNC's etc. to create a public awareness campaign and gain support and funding in order to implement this project on a larger scale.
As a case study, 2 women can be selected initially in order to show investors and the public how this idea can benefit the community and uplift the women and society simultaneously.

The solution

Funding for childcare is dwindling, particularly for single mothers who have given birth out of wedlock – either due to the lack of sex education or rape. Moreover, opportunities for these women to gain any sustainable employment is minimal.
The pilot programme for idea is two-fold.
Part 01 – Setting up a micro-finance scheme for women who lack support on raising children and finding employment – identified through religious and medical sources – who have become victim to rape and given birth as a consequence. These women will gain access to entrepreneurs and mentors who will guide them in pursuing their ideas and making it a reality.
It is also suggested providing another group of women with no marketable skills, basic training and education in order to assist them to gain better employment prospects.
Part 02 – Enabling a creche service for the children of these women, where they will have access to free education, as well as access to therapy (art/music therapy) in order to deal with their circumstances. Many volunteer and non-profit organizations exist which can assist in this matter, as well as companies and individuals who can donate any required equipment (Ex: Atlas)
However, this idea is broad and understands the time and financial constraints, and therefore allows for an initial implementation period to occur during the 03 month period in order to gain more funding and support to this project.
Therefore, it will utilize the initial nucleus fund to partner up with organizations, MNC's etc. to create a public awareness campaign and gain support and funding in order to implement this project on a larger scale.
As a case study, 2 women can be selected initially in order to show investors and the public how this idea can benefit the community and uplift the women and society simultaneously.

HAVE AN IDEA TO ADDRESS A SOCIAL ISSUE?
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My Idea

I confirm that if I am awarded the seed capital in Sept 2017, I will complete implementation of my idea before 31 Dec 2017.

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*Rs. 100,000/- will be awarded as seed capital to the ten best ideas.

I confirm that my idea is my own idea, and that I agree to the terms & conditons of the competition. I confirm that I take full responsibility to implement my idea before 31 Dec 2017, if I am awarded the seed capital and mentoring.

Terms & Conditions

iVoice Idea Competition

About

iVoice is an online platform that encourages youth to discuss social issues and to drive innovative solutions. The platform features stories relating to social issues in Sri Lanka, which are submitted by iVoice contributors and the general public.

The objective of the iVoice Idea Competition is to encourage youth to play a participatory role in solving social issues. After reading a story featured on iVoice, youth can submit their ‘idea’ to help to address the social issue that is highlighted in the story. The ten best ideas will receive seed capital of Rs. 100,000/- each, and mentoring, to support in implementing their ideas.

Eligibility

Participants must be Sri Lankan nationals between the ages of 18-29 years

In the event that a participant is awarded the seed capital, he/she must take full responsibility to ensure the idea is implemented before 31 December 2017

Submitting ideas

The majority of articles featured on iVoice relate to a social issue. These stories have a ‘Submit Your Idea’ button at the end of the article, inviting youth to share their innovative ideas on how to address these social issues.

Submitted ideas must be innovative and unique. The ideas must also be practical and implementable by 31 December 2017.

The deadline for submitting an idea is 3 September 2017.

To submit an idea, the following details must be provided through the online form:

Confirmation that the idea can be implemented between the time period of 21 September – 31 December 2017

Title of idea: A brief title that summarizes the concept of the idea/solution (50 characters)

The problem: A 100 word description of the specific problem that your idea will address

The solution: A 500 word description of what you will do to help to address the problem and how you plan to implement your idea before 31 December 2017

Budget: Specify the total budget required to implement your idea in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Note that the ten winning submissions will be granted Rs. 100,000/- as seed capital in September 2017.

Note: Participants can submit any number of ideas; however, only one idea per article is permitted.

Evaluation process

Ideas will be evaluated through a competitive process.

03 Sept 2017: Closing of submissions at 23:59 on 3 September 2017

06 Sept 2017: Shortlisting of 20 ideas

13 Sept 2017: Shortlisted applicants to present their ideas in further detail to the judging panel

21 Sept 2017: The ten winning ideas will be announced at the Award Ceremony at which Rs. 100,000/- seed capital will be granted to each of the winning applicants

Evaluation criteria includes creativity of the proposed idea to address the given social issue, and feasibility of implementation within the stipulated budget and timeframe.

The number of votes received per idea will not be a deciding factor.

The judging panel’s decision will be final.

Implementing ideas

The ten young people will receive the seed capital on 21 September 2017. They will also be provided mentoring organized by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum and the United Nations Population Fund, to support in implementation of their ideas. All winning participants must provide a progress report every 2 weeks and must take full responsibility to complete project implementation by 31 December 2017.

Idea posting is disabled. Please check back later.

Terms & Conditions

iVoice Idea Competition

About

iVoice is an online platform that encourages youth to discuss social issues and to drive innovative solutions. The platform features stories relating to social issues in Sri Lanka, which are submitted by iVoice contributors and the general public.

The objective of the iVoice Idea Competition is to encourage youth to play a participatory role in solving social issues. After reading a story featured on iVoice, youth can submit their ‘idea’ to help to address the social issue that is highlighted in the story. The ten best ideas will receive seed capital of Rs. 100,000/- each, and mentoring, to support in implementing their ideas.

Eligibility

Participants must be Sri Lankan nationals between the ages of 18-29 years

In the event that a participant is awarded the seed capital, he/she must take full responsibility to ensure the idea is implemented before 31 December 2017

Submitting ideas

The majority of articles featured on iVoice relate to a social issue. These stories have a ‘Submit Your Idea’ button at the end of the article, inviting youth to share their innovative ideas on how to address these social issues.

Submitted ideas must be innovative and unique. The ideas must also be practical and implementable by 31 December 2017.

The deadline for submitting an idea is 3 September 2017.

To submit an idea, the following details must be provided through the online form:

Confirmation that the idea can be implemented between the time period of 21 September – 31 December 2017

Title of idea: A brief title that summarizes the concept of the idea/solution (50 characters)

The problem: A 100 word description of the specific problem that your idea will address

The solution: A 500 word description of what you will do to help to address the problem and how you plan to implement your idea before 31 December 2017

Budget: Specify the total budget required to implement your idea in Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). Note that the ten winning submissions will be granted Rs. 100,000/- as seed capital in September 2017.

Note: Participants can submit any number of ideas; however, only one idea per article is permitted.

Evaluation process

Ideas will be evaluated through a competitive process.

03 Sept 2017: Closing of submissions at 23:59 on 3 September 2017

06 Sept 2017: Shortlisting of 20 ideas

13 Sept 2017: Shortlisted applicants to present their ideas in further detail to the judging panel

21 Sept 2017: The ten winning ideas will be announced at the Award Ceremony at which Rs. 100,000/- seed capital will be granted to each of the winning applicants

Evaluation criteria includes creativity of the proposed idea to address the given social issue, and feasibility of implementation within the stipulated budget and timeframe.

The number of votes received per idea will not be a deciding factor.

The judging panel’s decision will be final.

Implementing ideas

The ten young people will receive the seed capital on 21 September 2017. They will also be provided mentoring organized by the Sri Lanka Development Journalist Forum and the United Nations Population Fund, to support in implementation of their ideas. All winning participants must provide a progress report every 2 weeks and must take full responsibility to complete project implementation by 31 December 2017.

Terms & Conditons

I agree to the following:

- My story is my own work and does not contain plagiarized material or violate any copyright infringements

- My work is subjected to an editorial committee review that may add, remove, or amend my story, if necessary, to enhance its value

- The editorial committee has the right to decide whether or not my story is published

- My story can be shared or reposted on any other platform that iVoice has partnered or affiliated with at any given instance. However, my identity will be protected

- By agreeing to ‘Allow Ideas submission from iVoice community’, I allow anyone to submit an Idea or solution to my story

- Ideas submitted under my story belong solely to the individual submitting the idea and I will not be held accountable to its content.